Jeffrey Daniel Reveals How He Taught Michael Jackson the Moonwalk
By Daniel Faith
Legendary dancer and Shalamar member Jeffrey Daniel has revealed how he introduced the iconic moonwalk to Michael Jackson, and years later discovered that the King of Pop was actually his cousin.
In an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Daniel recalled how Jackson first noticed him performing the backslide, the move that would later become the moonwalk during a 1979 appearance on Soul Train with his dance group Eclipse.
“Michael saw me doing the backslide in ’79 on Soul Train,” Daniel said. “In 1980, he came to watch us perform at Disneyland with little Janet Jackson. After the show, he asked me to teach him the move.”
Two Decades of Collaboration With Michael Jackson
Daniel went on to work closely with Jackson for more than 20 years, choreographing legendary music videos such as “Beat It” and “Smooth Criminal”, and contributing to major projects including “Ghosts” and “They Don’t Care About Us”, which took them to Brazil.
“My last job in America was at MJJ Music, Michael’s record company, as A&R and creative consultant,” he explained.
A Family Secret Uncovered
In a twist, Daniel revealed that he and Jackson were blood relatives, a fact he only learned in 2008.
“Because my father didn’t raise me, I never knew,” he said. “But when I finally saw my family tree, I found out I’m Michael’s cousin. All those years we worked together, I never knew we were related. Now, I call Jermaine, Janet, Randy, and Rebe cousins all the time.”
Moonwalk and Global Legacy
Michael Jackson, often hailed as the King of Pop, transformed music and dance with his innovative choreography and record-breaking albums, including Thriller, the best-selling album of all time.
Daniel’s pioneering choreography not only helped shape Jackson’s stage persona but also cemented the moonwalk as one of the most iconic dance moves in music history.
About The Author
